Monday

Jan 7, 2019 at 12:08 PM

As a Millennial who had never traveled by myself until my recent Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line trip, I experienced the stigma surrounding solo female travelers. I was met with an onslaught of gasps and questions while venturing the sea. And everyone wanted to know one thing: Is it safe for young women to travel alone?

I’m not the only woman who’s been asked this question. The idea of women traveling independently is still considered taboo yet millennial women are traveling alone more than ever before.

A solo travel study by Booking.com in 2014 showed 72 percent of American women have embraced solo trips after being inspired by social media. HostelWorld reported female solo bookings have increased 45 percent between 2015 and 2017.

Millennial women are grabbing their gear and hitting the road without waiting to find a spouse or group of friends to tag along.

Exploring new places doesn’t mean you have to go far. Staying close to home on your first solo trip can provide a sense of adventure without drowning in homesickness. Try taking a statewide trip before channeling your inner Captain Jack Sparrow on a voyage across the seven seas.

You can also plan ahead by opting for destinations and programs that cater to female travelers.

Solo traveler programs on cruise ships like the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and the Norwegian Cruise Line set up millennial travelers to embrace their #travelgoals while adding structure and safety to their voyage. Not in the mood for a cruise? Contiki is a millennial-based company that exclusively connects solo 18 to 35-year-olds for trips.

Being a female roamer doesn’t have to be unsafe. Here’s a guide to transform into a self-assured millennial traveler.

1. Don’t keep your location a complete secret

As easy as it is to get lost in the sights and sounds of a new destination, it’s essential to let a trusted family member or friend know where you’ll be. The last thing you want is to experience a tragic “127 Hours” moment. So consider leaving a trip itinerary or brief outline of where you plan to be with someone back home.

Pro Tip: Don’t announce your departure on social media. Telling strangers you’ll be countless miles away from your home leaves you open to a possible home invasion. Can you imagine returning to find out your Facebook friends ransacked your home? Not cool.

2. Keep a safety travel kit

When preparing a safety kit, pack it the same way each time so you can find everything quickly. There’s nothing worse than frantically searching for your ID with a line of impatient people waiting behind you. That’s a quick way to spoil your chances of making friends.

Weapons like pepper spray and pocket knives are prohibited in airports but consider carrying a fashionable whistle in case you need to alert someone about an attacker. Whistle necklaces are discreet but provide a powerful noise in troublesome situations.

Florida millennial Meghan Faiella, 27, has been traveling alone since 2014 and experienced doubt before taking her first solo trip.

“I was really afraid to travel alone,” Faiella said. “Especially with all the things you hear about on the news or what you see in movies. I really wanted to travel and I didn’t have anyone to go with, so I decided to just take the plunge and go alone. Surprisingly, I loved it.”

Traveling alone doesn’t mean you won’t receive a helping hand along the way. If you ever feel unsafe or catch unsettling vibes, speak up. Most lodging locations have overnight security that can escort you back to your room. And befriending your hotel staff is a clever way to create a support system away from home. Being kind goes a long way, and if you’re pleasant toward the hotel staff, they’ll be more likely to watch your back.

Telling hotel staff you’re traveling alone will give them an opportunity to inform you about any risky areas in the city to avoid. They may even be willing to make sure you arrive back safely each day.

Bartenders are helpful allies while traveling in rowdy areas. If you do decide to drink responsibly, let a female bartender or hostess know you’re solo so they can keep an eye on you just in case.

The Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line solo traveler program includes a meetup aboard the ship, which takes the guesswork out of networking with other independent travelers. Meeting people with colorful stories and interesting backgrounds is the perfect nightcap to a first day sailing the seas.

And of course there’s AirBnB, which offers more than rooms and entire homes -- it offers excursions and experiences too. The immersive activities are curated by locals, which gives you unique access.

Programs like Under 30 Experiences and Contiki are entertaining ways to meet fellow millennial travelers without having to search too far. They offer a support system of other like-minded millennials that you can form lasting relationships with.

″[While traveling solo] I was able to do whatever I wanted without having to have it agreed upon by someone else. And as lame as it sounds, by traveling alone, I learned things about myself and became more confident,” said Faiella.

As Faiella discovered, traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely. It’s a chance to feel empowered while exploring the world.

5. Fake it until you make it

Traveling without a partner can be daunting at first and feelings of anxiety may show in your body language and expressions. If you ever feel awkward or out of place, don’t let it show. Looking lost and confused can attract the wrong attention. Thinking positive is essential to naturally attracting favorable people and situations.

To keep from getting lost, consider studying your destination routes during your private time so you’ll be able to walk with confidence when you’re out and about. If you get lost and need to check your GPS, do it quickly so you don’t look like a tourist.

If you happen to encounter someone who thinks you’re lost and won’t leave you alone, don’t be nervous to say something like, “My boyfriend (girlfriend) just stepped away for a moment and I’m going to go meet up with him/her now. Nice to meet you! Have a nice day!” Be firm but not rude.

6. Be outgoing, but cautious

Meeting new people while traveling solo can be the most memorable part of roaming. Enjoy yourself around others but remember to always say no to anything that makes you uncomfortable.

As women we often experience the societal burden of being expected to remain hushed during unsettling situations for the sake of “being nice.” If you ever feel uneasy, don’t concern yourself with being polite. Your personal safety is your first priority.

Although many people are harmless, there are strangers who engage with travelers to gather information for harmful purposes. Always keep your travel plans, hotel information, and where you’re headed next to yourself.

A great way to find trusted travelers are city tours. Not only will you learn fun facts about an unfamiliar area in a guided environment, but these tours are also an easy, no pressure way to meet single travelers and fun groups.

During my Bahamas trip, I stumbled across a group of older women who have been friends for more than 60 years on a bus excursion. These ladies, whom I affectionately called “The Golden Girls,” kept me company on the ride back to the ship after an afternoon of exploring the area. And the woman I sat next to ended up being from the same county I grew up in. You never know who you’ll meet so be open to expanding your friend circle everywhere you go.

While this goes without saying, I’ll say it anyway: Be mindful of your alcohol intake and keep a watchful eye on your drink. Indulging in a drink with locals and other travelers is a relaxing way to unwind after a long day of exploring but avoid becoming vulnerable by going overboard. Even if you’re in the comfort of your own room, being inebriated in an unfamiliar environment can be disastrous if you need to suddenly evacuate. Know your limits and never get drunk.

7. Choose hotels wisely

Picking lodging options on city outskirts to save a few pennies may seem like a good idea but spending a bit more to stay in a populated area is worth it.

Being closer to the heart of a city will reduce your chances of having to catch a late-night ride from a shady taxi driver. You’ll also slice your additional travel expenses and increase your networking opportunities by being closer to the action.

Staying closer doesn’t have to be pricey either. Subscribe to email newsletters from booking sites like Hotels and Expedia to get discounted prices and deals on hotel rooms in prime locations. Leaving town unexpectedly? Apps like HotelTonight and HotelQuickly offer solid, inexpensive lodging options for last-minute travel plans.

Before selecting a hotel, use Yelp to research what visitors have to say about crime levels in the area, hotel security and any other factors you’ll want to be hip to before you drop money on a reservation.

Need a more affordable spot? AirBnB’s are a millennial’s best friend. There are listings for every budget and each provides an authentic experience for young professionals. Since many AirBnB hosts enjoy interacting with their guests, homesick solo travelers can find comfort in having friendly support.

Traveling alone as a millennial can be a much-needed eye opener and refresher. Millennials love immersing themselves in new experiences and culture for a dose of inspiration. Plan your trip correctly and you’ll find yourself surrounded by like-minded travelers and a variety of people you’d probably never meet back home.

A search for female travel groups on Facebook will land you in contact with digital communities like GirlsLoveTravel where other millennial women are always looking for travel buddies. Joining a travel group on Facebook is an effortless starting point for building your travel tribe and discovering your #travelgoals.

What cities have you traveled to solo? Leave a comment below.

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